Oral Poetry from Africa
Improvised by the imbongi Nelson Title Mabunu at Umtata, Transkei, December 17 1970, in the course of a long poem in praise of Chief George Matanzima, co-leader of the illegal Transkei Bantustan. Mabuno was Matanzima’s official imbongi. He was a bitter enemy of the Xhosa poet Melikhaya Mbutuma, who was imbongi to the Thembu paramount chief Sabata Dalindyebo.
What do you want me to say, child of Opland?
What do you want me to say, fair-skinned one?..
Three Zulu songs from Johannesburg about the notorious Pass Laws of the Apartheid era. All Africans were required to carry a special pass, permitting them to be in the city.
Take a visit to Johannesburg:
You will see big crowds…
The last in a series of six poems from the Xhosa poet, Melikhaya Mbutuma. This was recited in March 1963, one month after the fifth poem (see also parts one, two and three and four for the background).
I am speaking near the peak of the Drakensberg Mountains,
I am speaking facing the Mnqhwazi Mountains…
The penultimate in a series of six poems from the Xhosa poet, Melikhaya Mbutuma. This was recited in February 1963, two months after the fourth poem (see also parts one, two and three for the background).
How exasperating to lack fighters when there are men.
How frustrating to look in vain for volunteers…
The fourth in a series of six poems from the Xhosa poet Melikhaya Mbutuma, this was recorded five months after the third poem (see also parts one and two for the background and parts five and six for the rest).
The rulers amaze me in their understanding of man,
The genii have confounded me in their conception of the sanctity of man.
